Snetterton Spectating

The closest spectating point from the Tyrrells Restaurant is a grandstand on the straight between Palmer and Agostini; it is sighted to the west of Tyrrell’s Restaurant (left, looking from the paddock). A little further to the left is a great big hill overlooking Palmers and, from the very top, Riches. That is a very popular spot which I have enjoyed on numerous occasions. A little further away is my favourite, just beyond the north-east corner of the paddock, overlooking Agostini. From this high vantage point can be seen most of the circuit, including most of Bentley Straight and, in the far distance, Brundle-Nelson and Coram-Murray’s. There is another grandstand that is over the final part of Coram corner.

To get to the spectating points on the outside of the circuit, you have to cross the bridge that crosses Bentley Straight. From here, turn left and there is a long walk along a raised bank overlooking Bentley Straight, which ends as it overlooks Williams and Wilson corners. Alternatively, turning right from the bridge leads to a raised bank covering Brundle-Nelson, with a grandstand beyond. It’s either the car or a long walk to the remaining three banks. Just keep walking after Nelson and you’ll eventually arrive at a bank overlooking Murray’s and another two on Senna Straight, either side of the start/finish line.

I’ll start my tour at Tyrrells restaurant and “walk” to each point in turn. It is a long walk back from the final position, but hopefully it will be worth it.

1) Tyrrells Restaurant. A reasonable selection of sensibly priced food is available here. There is outdoor seating by the entrance and a limited amount by the race track. To the west is a children’s playground. The medical centre is not open to the public. To access, you need to visit the MSV office in the paddock. Alternatively, there is a telephone number listed to the right of the entry to Tyrrells restaurant. The same applies to defibrillator access.
Outdoor seating is available at the side of the restaurant.	Follow the path for further seating and the children’s play area.
The children’s play area is on the left, with more seating and picnic tables on the right. Continue on, then to the left, for the grandstand
2) Palmer to Agostini Grandstand overlooking the extension of the circuit that makes up the 300 and 100 configurations. It is between Palmer and Agostini corners. Closer to Palmer, there can be good passes seen on the exit.
The grandstand is a short walk from the children’s play area.	From the grandstand, looking back at Palmer.
From the grandstand, looking towards Agostini.
3) Banking Overlooking Palmer Views from the banking overlooking Palmer corner. This is a very popular viewing spot and so can get very busy. The very top overlooks the start finish straight, so you can watch the race start as the cars come into view around pit exit. The far southwest corner of this mound also provides views of the first corner, but this is only for the determined or very tall spectator.
From the grandstand, bear right here and walk up the gravel slope for the banking. Bearing to the left, ahead there is a water tap by the red sign and, opposite that, are metal steps as a shortcut to the banking.	View of the pit exit lane.
View towards the first corner, Riches.	View of both Palmer and Oggies.
4) Agostini, from the Paddock If a competitor sets themselves up in this part of the paddock, they are rewarded with “ground floor” views of the entry to Agostini. It is not the best of viewing points because it isn’t raised, to if this section is in use as a paddock, it is no great loss.
From the banking overlooking Palmer, retrace your steps back to Tyrrells Restaurant. The paddock is just after, to the left.	The paddock is here, just after Tyrrells Restaurant.
You can see a little, but it is perhaps preferable to continue to the Agostini Knoll.
5) Agostini Knoll I’ve only ever watched the racing from the inside of the circuit. Being honest, I didn’t even know about all the other viewing points. I don’t think I’ve missed out, though, as this raised knoll overlooking Agostini is brilliant. You can watch cars approach from Palmer, create passing opportunities on entry into this hairpin and fail as they out-brake themselves or succeed on exit as they speed towards Hamilton. Binoculars can come in handy to monitor progress along Bentley Straight and even around Coram; it’s a shame I don’t have any, but it’s still a fun watch.
From the paddock, return to the road and turn left. At the end of the fence that can seen on the left, we will turn left. Agostini Knoll is just about visible above the fence, to the right of the building.	Agostini Knoll is ahead, to the right. Go straight on to the end, where there is a metalled stairway leading to the Knoll.
Alternatively, turn right at the stairway and continue to the bottom of the knoll’s slope, then do a u-turn an ascend a gentle slope.	Actually, it’s not so gentle a slope up to Agostini Knoll, but the views are worth the climb.
From Agostini Knoll, overlooking Agostini hairpin. You can also see all the way back to Palmer and towards Oggies, but binoculars would be useful.	The far-right of the knoll, still looking at the hairpin.
The Knoll stretched towards Bentley Straight. This is looking back towards Williams Corner…	… whilst this is looking towards Brundle.
6) Bentley Straight We are at ground level, but very close to the circuit, so the viewing is surprisingly good. Be careful of neck strain, though, as the cars do flash be rather quickly.
Close to Agostini Knoll, looking back towards Williams Corner…	… From the same point, looking towards the bridge.
A similar photograph to that above, this time from close to the bridge. Again, looking back towards Williams Corner…	… From the same place, looking through the bridge towards Brundle.
7) Brundle / Nelson Still at ground level, but also still very close to the action. We are at the other side of the bridge, with competitors hard on their brakes to negotiate the high-speed turn-in to Brundles, then the tighter right-hander of Nelson. Acceleration follows into Bomb Hole, where cars can step out after going light.
Time to heave on the brakes, resulting in great passing opportunities.	Brake too late and cars go straight on here.
Further along and the action is further away as cars turn into Bomb Hole …	… and then negotiate Bomb Hole.
8) Inside of Bomb Hole We are moving away from the action for this point. It’s worth stopping of for a few minutes on one’s way to the final corner, but it is not the best viewpoint because it is on level ground, set a way back from the circuit. I suspect there are probably excellent photographic opportunities, but little in the way of excitement.
From close to Bomb Hole.	From close to Bomb Hole.
From towards Coram.	From towards Coram.
9) Murrays Grandstand This grandstand overlooks the last part of Coram, Murrays and the start/finish straight.
The exit of Coram.	Murrays
Again, Murrays, this time from the right of the grandstand, giving a better view of Senna Straight and the pit entry lane.
10) Murrays Mound Mound overlooking Murrays exit. Also provides a better view than the grandstand of Senna Straight and the pit entry lane.
Close to the grandstand, looking back at Murrays.	From the same place, looking down Senna Straight.
A similar view, this time towards the pit entry lane, looking back at Murrays.	From the same place, watching a car enter the pit lane.
11) Crossing the Bridge From Murray’s Mound, there is a straight path to the North that leads to this bridge for both cars and pedestrians. It is the only way to cross the circuit when it is live. (There is a marshal-controlled crossing point on the start finish straight, although I have never seen it in use – See Note 18). On crossing the bridge, pedestrians can turn left for Bentley Straight, or turn right and cross the road for Brundle and beyond, all the way towards the end of Senna Straight.
Pedestrians cross on the left-hand side, on the green path.	Here, the the zebra crossing, turn left for Bentley Straight. Alternatively, turn right and cross the zebra crossing for Brundle, where spectators can continue around the perimeter, all the way towards the end of Senna Straight.
The path doesn’t quite stretch off into infinity, but at around 800 metres, to Williams, it is a fair distance.	Having crossed the zebra crossing for Brundle, spectators can continue around the perimeter, all the way towards the end of Senna Straight.
12) Williams to Bridge As already stated, it is around 800 meters to get to the furthest point from the bridge, but it is worth the trek. The viewpoint is from up high so that, even though it is a distance away, watching cars negotiating Wilson and beyond is entertaining. There are lots of bins lining the edge of this raised viewing embankment, all the way from Williams to the bridge, which reflects its popularity, with views not only of cars whizzing past at high speed, but also of the 300 configuration’s extension; there is nothing but distance to block the view across to Oggies and Agostini. Depending on where you are, there may even be views of Riches and Coram, although I suspect an astro-telescope would be required.	800 metres from the bridge. Back at the bridge
From the far end, looking at Wilson.	It’s a long walk back, with fast cars for company.
Close to the bridge, looking back.	From the same point, looking forwards.
13) Brundle/Nelson I never knew that there was a hillock overlooking Brundle/Nelson. I’ve probably entertained a few viewers here and, for a change, for good reasons; I love this section. It is not a high platform, so the views of cars approaching Bomb Hole are limited, but still entertaining.
A car is about to heave on the brakes as the drive passes the bridge.	This car is turning in at Brundle.
From Nelson, a car is seen exiting Brundle.	From the same spot, a car is exiting Nelson.
14) Bomb Hole This area overlooking the entry to Bomb Hole is raised a little, but the view is still limited due to the distance from the circuit. It is the closest point to the entrance, with parking just behind.
Cars entering Bomb Hole.	Cars negotiating Bomb Hole.
The run from Bomb Hole to Coram.
15) Coram Grandstand After suck a long walk, one can have a toilet break before visiting the grandstand. Excellent views are available from the here, of the approach to and entry into Coram.
The toilets are on the left, with the grandstand beyond.	The approach to Coram.
The entry into Coram.
16) Walkway to Senna Straight From Coram Grandstand there is a fair walk to the Senna Straight. The path curves around the outside of the never ending Coram (and it feels like that when walking), with no view of the circuit due to the raised banking.
The path bends around Coram …	… and goes on …
… and on
17) Murrays and Walk to Senna Straight Having negotiated Coram, there is respite with a poor view of the end of the corner, before our journey continues towards Senna Straight.
Nearly there …	… oh; not a brilliant view at ground level.
Not so good looking along Senna straight, either…	… So we shall continue to the banking that can be seen, ahead.
18) Early Senna Straight Good views are provided of Senna Straight, with the pit entry being observable from the start of this bank. A little later on, the banking drops down to a marshal-controlled crossing point, taking spectators across the circuit and pits into the paddock. Mind you, I’ve never seen it in operation, so maybe it is a mirage.
Looking back at pit entry …	… and forward along Senna Straight.
The Bank ends here, but can be seen to continue after the timekeepers office.	This claims to be a pedestrian crossing point and it might be, but beware as I’ve never witnessed it in operation.
19) Late Senna Straight The furthest spectators can go, with interesting views of competitors passing by at high speed. There are no corners though, so interest may be limited and it is a very long walk back … unless the crossing is open.
Early in this final banking, looking back down Senna Straight …	… From the same place, looking towards Riches.
Looking towards Riches from the furthest possible spectationg point …	… From that same end point looking back, with the pit exit in view.